Oxford's Botley Road is to be closed to through traffic for significant periods in both 2023 and 2024.

This is how it might affect Oxfordshire residents.

Why does Botley Road have to close?

As part of a £161million redevelopment of Oxford Station and a rail upgrade, Network Rail is replacing the rail bridge over Botley Road in order to expand the station on the western side. 

When is it closing?

Botley Road will be closed for roughly six months this year and next.

This year it will be closed to through traffic from Tuesday April 11 until the end of October.

This is for utility diversion work.

READ MORE: New date revealed for Botley Road closure

It is hoped that work to repair a water main on Osney Bridge, involving Thames Water and the Environment Agency, can be arranged during this year’s closure to avoid further disruption for road users in the future.

Next year it will be closed from March until October 2024 for highway work.

How will the effects be mitigated?

The county council said it will work closely with Network Rail and its other partners, such as the bus companies, "to keep the city moving during this period.”

It is expected that the other main routes into Oxford such as Woodstock and Banbury Roads will get busier.

Limited roadworks will be allowed on these roads to help mitigate this.

Further parking/loading restrictions may also need to be considered.

Use of bus and park and ride services will be strongly promoted for those visiting Oxford.

Work is continuing to take place to look at how to ease the pressure on the rest of the road network and the council said further details will be released as soon as they are available.

The traffic filters trial has been delayed and will not start until after Botley Road has fully reopened to traffic in autumn 2024.

How will motorists who usually use Botley Road get into Oxford?

Drivers will need to find alternative routes or park outside the affected area and finish their journeys by other means.

Between April and October while the first closure is in place:

Motorists who usually use Botley Road to get into the city are advised to use the Seacourt Park and Ride or take an alternative route.

Buses will turn around just before the rail bridge allowing passengers to continue their journey into the city centre on foot.

Pedestrians and cyclists will have access throughout the work.

Network Rail is working with emergency services on access arrangements.

Residents’ access to their homes will remain at all times, with some diversions in place.

Motorists will still be able to drive long Botley Road, if they have somewhere to park at the end of their journey, for instance at their workplace, or if they need to deliver something.

There will be constant access for vehicles to all the businesses in the Botley Road area.

The station will be open and rail services operating normally unless otherwise advertised.

What is Network Rail's advice?

Residents and businesses will need to make allowances when planning their journeys.

Network Rail has urged people to "understand the impact" on them and plan ahead.

 

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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